Aviary promotes bustard project

A special aviary has been built to promote a scheme to reintroduce the great bustard to the UK.

The bird, wiped out in Britain in the 19th Century, has made a comeback on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, through a project by the Great Bustard Group.

Two of the birds, considered too tame to release into the wild, are going on show at the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover, Hampshire.

The aim is to help visitors learn more about the world's heaviest flying bird.

David Waters, director of the Great Bustard Group, said: "By building this aviary, we are aiming to increase people's awareness of the species and of our work to reintroduce the bustards onto Salisbury Plain.

"Education is a significant part of our project and the aviary will facilitate this."

The group has released more than 70 Russian great bustards onto Salisbury Plain over the last five years.

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